Social Structure of Chipmunk Populations and its Relation to Resource Availability and Exploitation

DOCTORATE DISSERTATION: Research was to note differences in productivity between chipmunk populations located in interior, more continental populations from those in coastal, more maritime populations. I. Study site and methods are described. II. Population structural differences are found between chipmunk populations in the Coast Range and the Sierra Nevada. Litter size variation between species, and age specific fecundity of females within and between years are shown. Life table analyses are performed and life history and reproductive parameters are then compared to those of other chipmunk spc. Latitudinal trends are also analyzed. III. Ontogenetic and annual cyclic changes in reproductive state and weight will be analyzed for both sexes. The reproductive seasonal phenology of Eutamia sonomae will be compared to those of other species of Eutamias. Male reproductive strategies in Eutamias are proposed and the environmental and evolutionary regimes that have selected for these are discussed. Eutamias is then compared in its mating social system with other N. American sciurids.